History of the Internet

Found this great video about the history of the Internet, following is an interesting (albeit sexist) video about future predictions in 1969.

Pencil - Free Animation Software

Pencil is a free software tool for creating hand drawn animations. It is free and very easy to use. Visit their website for download and examples of its potential.

Quest Atlantis

Following on from the success of SuperClubs Plus, another social networking site for students aged 9 - 16 years is called Quest Atlantis.

"Quest Atlantis is a virtual reality software program created by Indiana University professor Dr. Sasha Barab. Virtual Reality Software is a software program that creates a three dimensional world with multi-user environment. This particular program, Quest Atlantis, includes games and a story line to assist children with both reading and decision making. This particular model places students in the role of junior scientists, political advisors, business managers, and national park rangers. Students tackle a variety of subjects trying to solve problems in this virtual world.

The greatest results have been seen in students who are the poorest performing readers and with disadvantaged students. These students are typically the hardest to reach, and the program has given them incentives and rewards for their work. These students often do not enjoy school but now have great interest due to this interactive world. The game style approach appeals to the students and keeps their interest." Courtesy Wired Educator

Meet my CyberTwin

I remember a computer program on my Apple II in the eighties called ELIZA. She was an artificial intelligence simulator that you could converse with. Click here to revisit this old program.

Well, now you can create a version of yourself...

Busy, unavailable or just relaxing - then let your CyberTwin do the work for you! A CyberTwin is an artificial intelligence character that functions on your behalf. You can train your CyberTwin to be just like you and represent you online.

Chat to my CyberTwin online now!

SuperClubsPLUS Update

At the beginning of August, I wrote a post about signing my class up for SuperClubsPLUS. After the initial success with my own class, I now have all of our five 3/4 classes signed up and the response from the students has been overwhelming. This initiative has been an amazing success and I cannot recommend it enough! There is so much to offer to students, both in learning about web 2.0 technologies and general ICT skills. Here is an article I have written for the next ICTEV journal:

SuperClubsPLUS -

Here are some videos about SuperClubsPLUS:

ABC News coverage of SuperClubsPLUS Australia from Martyn Wild on Vimeo.

Super Cool SuperClubsPLUS! from Martyn Wild on Vimeo.

Wireless Electricity

As a technology enthusiast I realise the need for electricity and access to it. I have many cables running under my desk and an array of power boards, just about any new gadget requires electricity either to run it or charge it - and a cable and powerpoint as well! As an educator, I see huge tangled messes of cables in all classrooms that have computers.
I love having a wireless mouse and keyboard, but have often thought wouldn't it be great to have wireless electricity. I once told someone and they said it was impossible. Check this out...

21st Century Learning

A Staff Meeting Presentation using Prezi.com

Here is a presentation I did the other day using prezi.com - a great presentation tool:

from prezi.com

The three video links are here - I don't think the links work on this embedded presentation:

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Another inspiring talk

This talk is about the power of communication technology to enable global change.

SuperClubs Plus

I have just signed up my grade to Super Clubs Plus and I am most impressed. Super Clubs Plus is a closed online community for students, where kids can join to safely talk in club forums, build Home Pages and get help with their homework. As you can see (VELS documents below), it covers many areas of each states curriculum comprehensively. Students have to earn stars and badges as they progress by initially completing a cybersafety quiz to get their first star. Once earned, students can build their homepage (like a website) and can also choose one of their pages to be a blog. They can email, visit kids from all over the world's homepages, leave comments, join a great range of clubs (in doing so can earn badges) and join on 'hotseat' forums with authors and many other exciting and engaging people.

VELSwithstars -

StarswithVIC -




Click here to see some kids from England talking about their experiences with Super Clubs Plus.

Xtranormal | Text-to-Movie

Xtranormal is website where kids can create simple animated movies. Students choose their characters and type in the dialogue, in minutes they have created a simple animated movie. Here is one I made:

New Cyber Safety Website for Australian Schools

After a two week holiday, I am back online and looking forward to posting more ICT information for my readers!

The Australian Government has just created a brand new website called Cybersmart:

"Cybersmart provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world.

Cybersmart also offers training and resources for schools and materials for library staff.

Developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Cybersmart is part of the Australian Government’s cybersafety program."

Fantastic sites for kids

I have been using the website, "Tutpup" with my kids and it has been an overwhelming success. They can practise their quick response to basic number concepts, times tables and spelling. The reason why it is so successful, is that the kids compete with other kids from all over the world or with someone on the computer next to them. Children can create their own account at home or, as I have done, a class account can be created and you can track their progress. If you are trying to find a fun way for kids to practise their maths skills, then I thoroughly recommend this website.

Note: It is still in beta (prototype) stage.

Another website worth visiting is Tikatok, a place where children can create and share online storybooks. One interesting feature is, for a fee, they will publish the student's book and send it professionaly bound.

Sir Ken Robinson in Australia

As you may or may not know, I really am a fan of Sir Ken Robinson - an expert in creativity and educational reform. Well, he has been in Australia and interviewed on one of our most respected current affairs shows. The interviews were aired over two nights and these are the links:

Interview Part One

Interview Part Two

Definitely worth a look!

Cyberbullying - digizen.org

I came across this website the other day called digizen.org and I was impressed by the section on cyberbullying. There are videos and plenty of resources for teachers to discuss this isuee with their students. You can watch the main video and then see the individual interviews with the characters, powerful stuff. This site is aimed at upper primary and lower secondary students.